Method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts

ABSTRACT

A method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This application relates to a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts.

2. Background Information

A golfer is confronted with many choices when selecting a new putter, such as the look, the feel, and the weight of the putter. A golfer may like a certain kind of head on a putter, but not the shaft that comes with it. It is also possible that a putter may have a shaft that a golfer likes, but not the right putter head. A golfer may even like both the putter head and the putter shaft, but not the lie angle or face angle of the putter.

Even if a golfer likes everything about a putter, he or she may not like the color or the length of the shaft. It could be too long or it may be too short. It may have a handle that does not have the right grip for that individual. There are so many choices, and yet a person often may just settle for something that is not right for him or her.

Common existing methods join a putter head and a shaft with a two part epoxy to create a solid joint when cured together, and the two parts become one unit: the finished putter. There are many variations of putter styles, and they often use a male or female fit with a joining compound such as epoxy to assemble them. Although some putters allow a slight adjustment to be made to the shaft by bending it to change the angle of the shaft or the face angle of the putter head, generally once these putters are assembled, very little can be done to change their characteristics. Hence, a buyer is stuck with the putter that the club manufacturer has made. With this type of “fixed” putter, a golfer could look at and try numerous putters before ever finding one to purchase that meets the preferred look, feel, and weight. It is also entirely possible that a golfer may still be dissatisfied with a putter even after purchasing it.

Having the flexibility to select a putter that has all of the desired features previously mentioned can greatly increase the ease of selecting a putter and even more importantly improve a golfer's game. If a golfer has the ability to mix and match a putter head with a putter shaft, and at the same time be able to adjust any of the other variables, selecting and purchasing a putter would be much easier. Even if a golfer has the ability to essentially custom build a putter, the putter must meet certain requirements to be considered “legal” according to the United States Golf Association (USGA).

OBJECT OR OBJECTS

An object of at least one possible embodiment of the present application is to teach a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts.

SUMMARY

At least one possible embodiment of the present application teaches a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, in which a person searching for a new putter has an opportunity to select a putter head and a putter shaft and make adjustments to suit individual preferences.

The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further hereinbelow. When the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-3 show traditional “fixed putters”;

FIG. 4 shows one possible embodiment of an interchangeable putter and shaft;

FIG. 5 shows a simplified drawing of a human hip joint;

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of one possible embodiment of an interchangeable golf putter head and golf putter shaft;

FIG. 7 is an overhead view of one possible embodiment of a golf putter shaft in a set position;

FIG. 8 shows a hollow boot with expoxy; and

FIG. 9 shows another possible embodiment of an adjustable, swiveling connection between a putter head and a putter shaft.

In addition to FIGS. 1-9, the 18 photographic images submitted herewith show the main components of at least one possible embodiment example of a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS

At least one possible embodiment of the present application is a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, in which a person searching for a new putter has an opportunity to select a putter head and a putter shaft and make adjustments to suit individual preferences. According to at least one possible embodiment, a golfer can make a selection of a putter head and putter shaft independently from one another, and a resulting putter may be assembled and adjusted by tightening a nut to achieve a preferred feel. In at least one embodiment example, a “ball and socket” joint is used to joint the putter shaft to the putter head, allowing for possible adjustment of shaft angle, right or left handed fit, and countless other desirable adjustments. In at least one possible embodiment, after an individual has selected the components of the putter, the putter can be assembled, and after any final adjustments, can be fixed in place by applying an expoxy to the joint so that it is no longer adjustable.

In FIG. 1, a putter head A comprises a male adapter as a solid part of the head located on the heel of the putter. FIG. 1 also shows a putter head B with a male adapter as a solid part of the head located at the center of the putter head. Putter head C is shown with a male adapter located on the inside of the shaft C1 and is a solid part of the shaft. The possible types of putter heads and shafts are numerous, as are the modes and the placements of the shafts onto the heads.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show existing putters that allow a slight adjustment to be made to a putter shaft by bending it to change the angle of the shaft or the face angle of the putter head.

FIG. 4 shows one possible embodiment of an interchangeable putter head and putter shaft F with an adjustable male-female connection. The back of the putter or adapter may be anchored in place by various means, i.e. epoxy, welded, threaded or some other means. The shaft is shown to have the ball and female nut housing attached to it by the various means as explained above. A socket receptacle has a nut housing D. The housing D has the ability to allow the ball to rotate 360 degrees up, down, and back and forth. It also allows the putter to have all of the adjustments that a player requires when buying a new putter.

The male-female connection works much like a human joint that has a ball and socket, shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of one possible embodiment of the present application. Just like a knee or hip joint, the ball and socket allows the shaft and putter head to be fully adjusted in any direction.

The ball C fits into the joint A. The nut D pulls the ball into the socket and anchors it, but not so tight as to prevent it from swiveling. Once this assembly is complete the shaft has full flexibility and can be essentially positioned any where the player wants. This permits a person to adjust essentially all of the variables that are required to suit individual preferences. These desired features are not limited to just shaft angle and lie angle as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Because the shaft can be rotated 360 degrees, it can be adjusted to be used by a left-handed player as well.

The ball and shaft C, as seen in FIG. 6, has an extension that fits into the inside of the shaft. This extension allows for the possible length adjustment of the shaft. This adjustment can be longer or shorter depending on a player's preferences or requirements.

FIG. 7 shows a putter shaft being set into a desired position and the position being adjusted and then set by tightening the male nut.

In FIG. 8, a boot is filled with quick setting epoxy and placed over the ball and socket assembly. The epoxy is then allowed to cure, and the player now has a custom selected, custom made and custom assembled putter. The resulting putter is one unit and cannot be adjusted during a round of golf, which means the putter would be legal according to USGA regulations.

Just like a regular putter, the swivel putter can be disassembled by heating the epoxy until it starts to loosen and the player can take it apart to be reset and re-epoxy the unit together again.

It should be noted here that the ball and socket can be constructed of different means, but not limited to a ball and socket of a type to allow for a snap fit, where the female part does not have a thread or nut, as shown in FIG. 6, but actually expands and snaps over the male receptacle, as in FIG. 9.

In addition to FIGS. 1-9, the 18 photographic images submitted herewith show the main components of at least one possible embodiment example of a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts.

One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method for building a golf putter, said golf putter comprising: interchangeable putter heads; interchangeable putter shafts; a ball and socket joint; epoxy being configured to fix one of said interchangeable putter heads and one of said interchangeable putter shafts in a secure and substantially permanent position, said method comprising the steps of: selecting one of said interchangeable putter heads; selecting one of said interchangeable putter shafts; fitting one said selected interchangeable putter head together with one said selected interchangeable putter shaft with said ball and socket joint to form a golf putter; adjusting said ball and socket joint of said golf putter to achieve a desired position; applying said epoxy to said ball and socket joint; and securing one said selected interchangeable putter head and one said selected interchangeable putter shaft of said golf putter in a secure and substantially permanent desired position.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts comprising: a golf putter comprising an interchangeable putter head, an interchangeable putter shaft, and a ball and socket joint, which may be set and fixed in place with an epoxy so that it is no longer easily adjustable

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, comprising a design to allow the interchangeability of putter shafts and putter heads.

Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, comprising a design that can be accepted by the USGA, and hence make it legal to use by all players, pros and amateurs alike.

A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, comprising a ball and socket design to permit the above statements, but not limited to a ball and socket design.

Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, comprising a design that allows for better and easier putter selection and hence improve the players performance on the golf course.

Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the method to allow simple selection and interchangeability of golf putters and shafts, comprising a ball and socket design not limited to where the attachment is anchored to the putter head or the shaft.

The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.

The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Some examples of adjustable and/or interchangeable golf putter heads and shafts that may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment may possibly be found in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,555 B2, entitled “Frame Design Putter Head with Rear Mounted Shaft”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,257, entitled “Adjustable Putter”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,409, entitled “Universal Golf Club”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,918, entitled “Adjustable Golf Putter Head”; No. US 2006/0105855 A1, entitled “Golf Club with Interchangeable Head-Shaft Connections”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,733, entitled “Golf Putter”.

The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.

The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.

The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.

The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

It will be understood that the examples of patents, published patent applications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.

The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published patent applications and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.

The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.

The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):

-   -   A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the         specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably         following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the         Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent         and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine         quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the         technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for         interpreting the scope of the claims.         Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not         intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be         interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention. 

1. A method for building a golf putter using a golf putter kit, said golf putter kit comprising: interchangeable putter heads; interchangeable putter shafts; a ball and socket joint; epoxy being configured to fix one of said interchangeable putter heads and one of said interchangeable putter shafts in a secure and substantially permanent position, said method comprising the steps of: selecting one of said interchangeable putter heads; selecting one of said interchangeable putter shafts; connecting said selected interchangeable putter head together with said selected interchangeable putter shaft with said ball and socket joint to form a golf putter; adjusting said ball and socket joint of said golf putter to achieve a desired orientation of said selected interchangeable putter head and said selected interchangeable putter shaft with respect to one another; applying said epoxy to said ball and socket joint; and allowing said epoxy to harden and thus securing said selected interchangeable putter head and one said selected interchangeable putter shaft of said golf putter in a secure and substantially permanent desired position. 2-7. (canceled)
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said kit further comprises a cap structure configured to be filled with said epoxy and placed over said ball and socket structure to fix a selected one of said interchangeable putter heads and a selected one of said interchangeable putter shafts in a secure and substantially permanent position; and said step of applying said epoxy to said ball and socket joint comprises filling said cap structure with epoxy and placing said cap structure over said ball and socket joint.
 9. A golf putter kit comprising: interchangeable putter heads; interchangeable putter shafts; a ball and socket joint being configured to connect a selected one of said interchangeable putter heads together with a selected one of said interchangeable putter shafts to form a golf putter, and to permit adjustment of the orientation of said selected interchangeable putter head and said selected interchangeable putter shaft with respect to one another; and epoxy being configured to fix a selected one of said interchangeable putter heads and a selected one of said interchangeable putter shafts in a secure and substantially permanent position.
 10. The kit according to claim 9, wherein said kit further comprises a cap structure configured to be filled with said epoxy and placed over said ball and socket structure to fix a selected one of said interchangeable putter heads and a selected one of said interchangeable putter shafts in a secure and substantially permanent position.
 11. A golf putter kit comprising: a ball and socket joint being configured to connect a putter head together with a putter shaft to form a golf putter, and to permit adjustment of the orientation of said putter head and said putter shaft with respect to one another; said ball and socket joint comprising: a ball structure being configured to be attached to an end of a putter shaft opposite a handle of a putter shaft; and a socket structure being configured to be attached to a putter head, and to receive and hold said ball structure to connect a putter shaft to a putter head; and epoxy being configured to fix a putter head and a putter shaft in a secure and substantially permanent position.
 12. The kit according to claim 11, wherein said kit further comprises a cap structure configured to be filled with said epoxy and placed over said ball and socket structure to fix a putter head and a putter shaft in a secure and substantially permanent position. 